HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2454

As Reported by House Committee On:

Appropriations

Title: An act relating to voluntary contributions to the park land trust revolving fund.

Brief Description: Allowing DNR to accept voluntary contributions.

Sponsors: Representatives Buck, Eickmeyer, Armstrong and Bush.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations: 1/27/04, 2/3/04 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Pearson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Anderson, Boldt, Buck, Chandler, Clements, Cody, Conway, Cox, Dunshee, Grant, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Ruderman, Schual-Berke, Sump and Talcott.

Staff: Alicia Paatsch (786-7178).

Background:

The Park Land Trust Revolving Fund is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is non-appropriated but is subject to allotment. The fund is used for acquiring real property as replacement for the property transferred to the State Parks and Recreation Commission in order to maintain the land base of the affected trusts.

Summary of Bill:

The DNR is authorized to solicit and receive voluntary contributions for the purpose of operating and maintaining public use and recreation facilities, including trails, managed by the department. The DNR may seek voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations for this purpose.

Voluntary contributions are deposited into the park land trust revolving fund and are not considered a fee for use of these facilities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The DNR has a large network of volunteers that help with its recreation program. These volunteers would like to contribute financially to keep recreational areas open, but the department does not have a mechanism to receive and reinvest these funds. Potential revenue from this bill is undetermined at this time.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Bob Van Schoorl, Department of Natural Resources.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.